SUPER Field Day

This year the theme for our field day (because every great field day has a theme, right?!?!) was SUPERHEROES!

Each class had to choose a superhero to "be" or represent them. So during the awesomeness that is state testing, I was racking my brain trying to think of what superhero my class would be. I do the usual Pinterest search, then resorted to a Google image search...I know...what was I thinking?!?!

Awhile ago my class was the Falkenators for a fun run theme, it was great at the time, but it just didn't seem to fit this year. When I was about to give up and just let the kids pick a random superhero it came to me....

DRUM ROLL.....

YEP we went Old School! (Side note conversation overheard...Specials teacher: "Awesome, you guys went old school, that great!"...few moments later...Student: "Old school? That's a good thing right?!?!")

Once I thought of it, I couldn't believe I didn't think of it earlier! It was perfect! We had a really great discussion about what being an underdog was and the meaning this particular name/superhero had for our class. I brought up the fact that we were the Underdogs of the 5th grade: we were the smallest class in number, and probably the shortest in total height. But not only that we were probably considered the underdogs because of the "make-up" of our class. At this point all my students were aware of the fact that I was the transition teacher (both 4th and 5th grade), but now at this point in the year....we talked about how we exceeded every one's expectations because we were ALL 5th graders now! We then went into a great conversation about how my expectations of our class have always been high and have never changed, however some other people may have looked at our class and said "oh that's expected of them" "they are transition" etc. Therefore in the white portion of our banner every student wrote one thing they were proud of themselves for accomplishing this year. They were so proud!

After deciding the superhero and choosing a banner, we got to work...

We then decided on our "costumes"...red t-shirts of course, but I couldn't just leave it at that. We actually put U's on our shirts...just like Underdog! Some of the students brought in shirts early and I (with permission of course) cut U's out of iron on paper that you can purchase, print your design on, then iron on. I simply didn't print anything, cut the U's, then ironed them on. For those students that didn't want or didn't have permission for a perm. U, I found sticky felt! It worked and they looked great! I was so thrilled that I had 100% participate.

Then I still felt as though something was missing. And it came to me....CAPES! What good a superhero without his/her cape?!?

This is us headed out to the field! And if you are looking for a cheap cape...head over to Hobby Lobby (I mean I NEVER go there!) and check out their bandanna selection! They make great capes, just safety pin them on and go!

And if you are looking for a few other superhero themes here are a few great banners!

Stay tuned for my news!!! I know, two posts in a week..what!?!? 

Here is a hint:

What...I have a blog??!?!?

I promise I did not forget about you all...promise!

Once again life has taken over, and of course my classroom schedule became hectic as well.

We did sell our house (yea!) and are temporally moved (squished) in with my mother and sister. I'll update you all more on what our future plans are, but you will have to wait like everyone else for that :) My hubby and I celebrated 10 years together (while packing and moving), not our ideal 10 year anniversary...we had thought of doing something grand when we talked about it a few years ago...but we had no idea then that we would be packing and moving. So those plans were put on the back burner, maybe next year.

My family did get together for our annual Eggextravaganza. I somehow managed to upgrade the girls' Easter buckets (after digging through boxes to find my cutting machine). I love how they turned out!

Feel free to add captions to this one!

I must admit I am a bit of a chevron freak...along with polka-dots!

I did somehow manage to make it to Spring Break...it was rough that last week. I had to give my transition students the 4th grade CAR (content area retest), manage behaviors (SPRING FEVER hit my room hard, 2 in school...reflection room attendants, and two suspensions...my AP kept giving me chocolate, not such a good sign).

We have also been booking it through our Social Studies content. Teaching Civil War to present day is a TON of material! I love my co-workers and how well we work together when planning. We have been integrating  Social Studies into our Reading lessons like crazy! If you haven't already done so, head over to ReadWorks.org  it's free and a lot of their passages are Science/Social Studies common core...and it's FREE!!!!

Once I finally got my daughter over croup (again) Spring Break came as did the pollen! Which knocked me on my bottom. Ever wonder how much your child touches your car? Well head to the south and park your car outside overnight, and tada...POLLEN ART! This picture does not do it justice.

We did manage to do a few things around town...it's a little different when you don't have your own house and are staying with someone else.

 Someone went to the dentist! I did too, but I have to take Valium just to get a cleaning; therefore, my picture is not as cute :) 

She got her hair cut and done! 

And we hung out at the park

Overall not too bad of a break, but nothing real exciting...and it's almost over. 

We head into the home stretch when we get back...one week of test prep, finish curriculum madness then state testing begins! I don't have any amazing plans or packets...just not enough time! I will say that another great tool I have been using is LearnZillion.com...and they just came out with an app for your ipad or iphone. It's common core aligned as well. 

After testing the true madness begins! Maybe I'll have some fun things planned to keep them busy....no promises though :) 

March Madness

Well boxes are being packed and my inner OCD is FREAKING out! Living in a house that you are packing, well there is just no keeping it neat and clean. On top of that March Madness has begun....I panicked a little when I wrote this on Friday!

Does your March look like this???

On another note Friday was favorite book character day. I went as the Paper Bag Princess. If you haven't read that book it's a MUST. Also here are some of my great co-workers and their costumes!

And finally...my daughter also had favorite character dress up on Friday, she went as a sassy Pinkalicious

Here it is!

Items to Gather:  

• empty 7-Up/Sprite bottles
• holiday ribbon
• scissors
• hole punch
• writing/tag printables (click here for them)
• optional: glitter, four leaf clovers, gold coins, Lucky Charms, etc.

How to:
1. Begin by cleaning and emptying the soda bottles (including the labels)

2. Have the students use the printable to write their narrative on how to catch a leprechaun. Their writing should include items they can use in order to catch a leprechaun, these items can be placed inside their bottle. Items can be ones the teacher provides or items the students bring from home, but they must be able to fit inside the bottle.



3. The student will roll up their writing and put it inside the bottle.

4. Use the ribbon and printable tag to decorate the bottle.



Teaser...

Head over to Classroom DIY blog tomorrow to see what I will make with these:

Excuses...

Excuses...as teachers we hear so many of them throughout the day. I know you will all agree with me. "It's not my fault, my mom forgot to put it in my backpack"..."But I finished it, I just left it at home"..."I told her to shut up because she needed to" (yep heard that one today)..."They (referring to those bang snaps) were just in my pocket and I gave them to only two friends"....(again heard that one today).

My days, as of late, seem filled with excuses...more so than usual. Including ones from my daughter..."I was trying to move the chair back like you told me to and it slipped" (this excuse came after the kitchen chair fell on her toe causing the skin to pull away from the toe nail, and of course after I told her to quit playing with the chair). My students are also "extra full" of them these days especially when it comes to writing. I know we are doing a TON of writing with the state writing test looming around the corner, and part of me is ready for it to be here and gone, but the other part knows I need to keep getting them ready. "But I filled the whole page" (yes you did...putting three words on each line) "But I did write in paragraphs, it's just one big paragraph" (oh yeah that excuse was given).

So...my question to you is...what excuses are you hearing lately? and what are you doing (if you are gearing up for a state writing test) to keep your students interested?

Finally I must share part of my own excuse with you all as to why things are sparse this year...the first being my class load. Not to whine or complain because we all have a ton of work to do, but being in a new grade level and having transition students has been a HUGE workload.

I have already met with my transition student's parents at least four times (face to face) this year. I have 7 that are in response to intervention (progress monitoring for possible SpEd referrals), three that have been referred to SpEd (more paperwork), all 10 have to have individualized learning plans, all 10 have to have academic contracts (because they aren't passing), some of them have to have lessons and grades given to them in the 4th grade content areas they didn't pass on top of regular 5th grade content (so I get to teach 2 grade levels), and then the regular 5th grade paperwork and content....not to mention conferences next week!

On top of that I was asked to help coach a high school basketball team (my old high school)...of which I was SO excited to do but that is extra time there.

And my biggest excuse yet...we FINALLY sold our house!!! But we will be moving to a temp location in less than a month. So I must apologize in advance for another lack of posts in the future. Is that a good excuse????

Reading Stations

Just a little update on my reading tubs/groups....I am currently doing a lot of one on one during my guided reading time, but I do have a good rotation set up for my tubs.

Tub 1: Is Making Words

Have you ever seen this book? I love it and so do the kids. I usually type up a little half sheet of paper giving them a few clues as to how many three letter words...etc. I also started rotating in a word game that they enjoy (any competition is good for them). Therefore I have linked this game for you all...FREE!

Tub 2: Listening Station

We are currently listening to The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, I use some comprehension questions here and there, so I know they are listening!


Tub 3: Word Ladders

Again...another great resource! You can print a few, laminate them front to back, and have the students use vis-a-vi markers.

Tub 4: Boggle
I use my board that is on the wall, click here for the printables. I also found a great FREE worksheet for the students to show there work here!

Tub 5: Nonfiction Reading Comprehension

This is yet another GREAT resource! It is FULL of cross curriculum concepts. This is my independent work station. 

Tub 6: Media Center

I hope this give you a few ideas to help get you through the month. I know I am stretched very thin right now...it's crunch time for the GA Writing Assessment  and my remaining transition students are gearing up for the CAR retake, again. Not to mention those parent/teacher conferences just around the corner. Whew! I hope you all are hanging in there!